Phillips shows off motivation skiills

HOUSTON – Wade Phillips doesn’t get much credit, if any, for his motivational skills.

But there was Saturday night at the team hotel, asking the players to “specifically play for somebody.”

The players took his request to heart and played with emotion and intensity Sunday in downing Houston 27-13 before a record crowd of 71,000-plus at Reliant Stadium.

Phillips admitted afterward that he’s used the “play for somebody” slogan before.

“Actually, I did that when I was interim coach at Atlanta (in 2003) and we were playing Tampa,” Phillips said. “(Texas high school coaching legend) Gordon Wood, who was the famous Brownwood coach, passed away the week we were going to play Tampa. I had known Gordon for a long time and known about him. He was a great guy and he always came to the San Angelo clinic we go to. It was a personal thing for me, and I thought, well, shoot, I’d like to dedicate this game to Gordon Wood. I told the players the same thing, they ought to dedicate it somebody. I don’t know if it works or doesn’t work, but I think it’s important people-wise. That’s the way I live my life.”

Phillips was asked if the “play for somebody” request lead to a win in 2003.

“It did,” he said. “We hadn’t beaten Tampa there in I don’t know how long. They had a real good football team and we beat them.”